Book Proposal Depot

Your stop for query letters and publishing success.

Query Letters

Query letters are a critical part of the process of getting published and are normally the very first impression writers give an agent or publisher. For some brief points about how I target query letters for the best possible impression, please note that query letters:

• are written to present a manuscript (and its author) in the best light possible in under TWO minutes
   
• are designed to persuade the addressee to read sample chapters (for fiction) or a book proposal (for nonfiction)
   
• typically contain one paragraph about the book
   
• often describe the author's writing experience, if favorable
   
• highlight any potential advantages the manuscript or the author may have for selling the book, if favorable
   
• point out any reasons why the market may be ripe for the book, if applicable
  

The Query Letter Process

1. The author fills out a one-page questionnaire. (Eight questions.) The more thorough the author is in this part of the process, the easier it is to draw upon the strongest selling points possible.
    
2. The author and I may discuss the responses to the questionnaire and any requirements for additional submission materials that may need to be included with the query letter, depending on the guidelines of the targeted literary agents or publishers.
    
3. The query letter is written and presented to the author for review.
    
   

Cost:

The cost of the Query Letter Service averages around $225. To request a free initial consultation of 15 to 20 minutes and an estimate, please fill out the Contact Form.

Free Proposal Consultation or Sample Edit

After reading the articles (or even before, if you'd like), I'd be happy to provide you with a free initial consultation or provide a sample edit for a manuscript. To set up either, simply:

1. Fill out the Contact Form to request a phone appointment (from Lori Lisi).
    
2. Include the status of your manuscript and any submission materials.
    
3. Include several possible time frames to set up a phone appointment.
    
4. If you have a draft of your proposal and/or the first two chapters of your manuscript, please upload that into the form as well.
    

You will be contacted within 24 to 72 hours. This will allow me the time to review the materials and information you might send before we set up the phone appointment. Please be sure to include times you might be available to set up the appointment.

I'll look forward to speaking with you!

Book Proposal Services

If you prefer that I write the book proposal for you, please review the Writing service.

If you would like to write the book proposal yourself and primarily want guidance for doing so, please review the Coaching service.

If you already have a book proposal and would like a critique of it, please review the Critiquing service.

Manuscript Services

If you would like general feedback regarding your manuscript, please check out the Book Critique service.

If your manuscript would be better served by an edit, check out the Book Editing service.

If you are uncertain as to the type of assistance your manuscript might need, simply request a Free Sample Edit for an initial assessment of the editing level that might be needed.

Literary Agents and Query Letters Services

Do you have your manuscript and/or book proposal ready and need to know what to do next? We research literary agents and write query letters specific to your project. See our Literary Agents Research and Query Letters services.

Find Literary Agents and Book Publishers at BookExpo America